President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
